A one-year intervention has modest effects on energy and macronutrient intakes of overweight and obese Swedish children

Abstract

To decrease BMI in overweight and obese children, improved dietary intake and increased physical activity are key elements. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of a 1-y food and physical activity intervention on energy and macronutrient intake in overweight and obese children. A randomized open trial was conducted with 92 overweight or obese 10.4 ± 1.08-y-old children. The intervention included 14 group sessions with different themes regarding food and physical activity. Dietary intake was assessed with diet history interviews covering 14 d at baseline and 4-d food records after 1 y and was evaluated according to national dietary recommendations. The control group participated in the same measurements as the intervention group but did not take part in group sessions. After 1 y, both groups had decreased their energy intake (EI) relative to total energy expenditure, but the effect was more pronounced for the intervention group than for the control group. At 1 y follow-up, a larger proportion of children in the intervention group compared with the control group met the recommended intake of refined sugar (P = 0.019). However, the groups did not differ in the proportion children who met the recommended intake of dietary fiber. Further, SFA intake relative to total EI did not differ between the groups at 1 y follow-up. In conclusion, despite a rather comprehensive intervention, only modest effects were achieved with respect to reduced EI and improved macronutrient intake.